Gauge well mixer
This gauge well mixer works off of the differential pressure in a storage tank and gauge well. Slot covers with dividers are installed in the gauge well. The slot covers and dividers are staggered for better mixing. The gauge well has a vertical interior space extending the length of thereof; wherein the slots open into the vertical, interior space. A first horizontal divider is located in the vertical, interior space below a first slot; and a second horizontal divider is located in the vertical, interior space above a second slot. The slot covers are installed on slots located between the first slot and the second slot.
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This invention relates to a gauge well mixer. More specifically the invention relates to a storage tank having a gauge well that is perforated and extends through a floating roof for the tank.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn connection with storage tanks or volatile products, the requirements for eliminating any vapor emissions have been found difficult where the tank has a floating roof and includes a perforated gauge well. The perforated gauge well may give us better mixing in the well but comprises vapor emissions. Therefore unslotted wells are used but reduce the mixing effect.
The lack of vapor seal caused by the foregoing indicated structure is overcome by the use of a seal structure.
Gauge well systems are known in the art. The systems for a gauge well typically are used in a liquid storage tank with a floating roof. Unslotted gauge wells especially are known to cause tank-level measurement errors. Slotted gauge wells have provided somewhat of an improvement. Unslotted gauge wells give a false level readings in multi-use tanks due to gravity differences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThis invention works off of the differential pressure in the tank and gauge well.
In this invention, slot covers with dividers are installed in the gauge well. The slot covers and dividers are staggered for better mixing.
When using a multi-purpose tank, the liquids can layer in the gauge tube. For example, gasoline and 12 lb. natural gasoline have different gravities. By using a slotted tube, the products will mix but air quality standards will be compromised. This invention uses connected slots and product head pressure for better mixing. This allows the product at higher pressure to relieve through a lower slot and return through another higher slot at lower pressure, therefore self-mixing the gauge tube.
This mixing provides an accurate example of the liquid mixture found in the rest of the tank, yet still complying with air quality standards.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings.
This gauge well mixer works off of the differential pressure in a storage tank and gauge well. The gauge well has a vertical interior space extending the length of thereof; wherein the slots open into the vertical, interior space. A first horizontal divider is located in the vertical interior space the gauge well, below a first slot; and a second horizontal divider is located in the vertical, interior space above a second slot. The slot covers are installed on the exterior of the gauge well over slots located between the first slot and the second slot.
There is a vapor tight seal 20 that is mounted on the roof 15 at the lower surface thereof which rests on the product 12. The seal 20 surrounds the outside of the gauging well 16, and of course the seal moves with the roof 15 as the level of the product changes.
Also shown is inlet fill nozzle 22, finished product 24 and overflow vent 26.
Shown are a plurality of mixing zones 50 staggered for better mix. At a minimum, a mixing zone 50 includes one pair of dividers 40. Sandwiched between the pair of dividers 40 are two (2) slots 19.
The above detailed description of the present invention is given for explanatory purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the whole of the foregoing description is to be construed in an illustrative and not a limitative sense, the scope of the invention being defined solely by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising a gauge well and storage tank;
- wherein the gauge well has a vertical interior space extending the length of thereof;
- a first slot open into the vertical, interior space;
- a first horizontal divider located in the vertical, interior space below first slot;
- a second slot open into the vertical, interior space; and
- a second horizontal divider located in the vertical, interior space above the second slot;
- thereby forming a mixing zone in the vertical zone interior space between the first horizontal divider and the second horizontal divider;
- the gauge well being attached to the storage tank and having slots extending along the length thereof;
- a floating roof resting on the liquid stock in the storage tank and having a seal between the roof and the gauge well;
- the gauge well extending above the maximum level of liquid stock in the storage tank; and a vapor seal to minimize vapor loss from the gauge well.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:
- a plurality of slots located between the first slot and the second slot wherein each slot of the plurality is open into the vertical, interior space; and
- a plurality of slot covers wherein the slot covers cover the slots located between the first slot and the second slot.
3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of horizontal dividers and the plurality of slot covers are arranged to form a plurality of mixing zones.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of slots open into the vertical, interior space, wherein each slot of the plurality is located below the first horizontal divider.
5. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of slots open into the vertical, interior space, wherein each slot of the plurality is located above the second horizontal divider.
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5138891 | August 18, 1992 | Johnson |
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- Kenneth W. Mei, Chevron Research & Technology Co., Unslotted gauge wells cause tank-level measurement errors; Oil & Gas Journal, Jan. 30, 1995.
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 16, 2009
Date of Patent: Nov 12, 2013
Assignee: Marathon Petroleum Company LP (Findlay, OH)
Inventor: Steven A. Sablak (Eagan, MN)
Primary Examiner: David Sorkin
Application Number: 12/589,055
International Classification: B01F 5/06 (20060101);